MPs are required to operate radiotelephone stations aboard certain vessels that sail the Great Lakes. They are also required to operate radiotelephone stations aboard vessels of more than 300 gross tons and vessels which carry more than six passengers for hire in the open sea or any tidewater area of the United States. They are also required to operate certain aviation radiotelephone stations and
certain coast radiotelephone stations.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must:

be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States; and

be able to receive and transmit spoken messages in English; and

pass a written and/or telegraphy examination(s) as described below under Examinations.

Term of License

The Marine Radio Operator's Permit license term is for a period of five (5) years. These licenses may be renewed from anytime within the last 90 days of their term up to five years following expiration without having to re-take an examination. After the five year grace period expires, applicants must retake the requisite written and/or telegraphy examination(s). An expired certificate is not valid
for any radio operations.

There are seven written elements in the COLE System numbered 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. All questions are multiple choice with four possible answers - only one of which is correct. Here is a list of the written examination elements, the number of questions within each question pool, the number of exam questions and the passing mark. You need to get 75% of the questions correct in order
to pass.